Photo of the Week: Fire-Knife Dancing in Samoa

Siva Afi, or fire-knife dancing, is one of the most exhilarating aspects of Samoan festivities. Although a traditional pre-war ritual that was used to psych up Samoan warrior, it is today a demonstration of agility.

Photo of the Week: Beautiful Waters of the Bocas Islands, Panama

There is a unique vibe about the Bocas del Toro archipelago in far west Panama, the true gateway to the country for overlanders from Costa Rice. It's a bohemian calypso feel that even the hardest at heart will enjoy.

Photo of the Week: the Dazzling Colours of Sunset, The Maldives

As the waves of the Indian Ocean gently lap at your feet and the beach's slowly cooling sands, the sun’s last rays of the day paint the sky with a beautiful range of colours and tones.

Photo of the Week: Boats Bob in the Waters of Melissani Lake, Kefalonia, Greece

Melissani Lake is a pool of still water in a natural cave. Given the breathtaking beauty of the caves, they have always been an ideal site for rites associated with the divine.

Photo of the Week: Mt Yasur Eruption, Tanna Island, Vanuatu

Mt Yasur is the most accessible live volcano in the world, with eruptions every five to ten minutes. The 15-minute trek to the crater increases the prospects of a shortened life, but that’s why thousands make it.

Photo of the Week: The Church of Tisco, Arequipa, Peru

Tisco is one of the highest settlements in Peru's Colca Valley. This church, built before the 18th-century expulsion of Dominican monks Its geographical location, is distinguished by its red décor, made with ochre.

Green Path Transfers Hits 50!

No, that’s not its age. That’s also not 50 miles or even kilometres an hour. Rather, just a few days ago the Green Path Transfers vision of competitively priced local transfer operators all across the globe committed to environmental sustainability, especially through the use of low-carbon-emission fuels or engines, surpassed 50 destinations in more than 30 countries.

Far from content to stop there, Green Path Transfers will continue to add scores more partners in the weeks and months ahead with the goal of being operational in 200 destinations just 12 months since it was launched in March 2011.

A Quality Alternative

As a new a new, global, eco-friendly airport transfer and ground transportation network, Green Path Transfers unifies existing local service-minded businesses around a goal to go ‘green’ and then plans to use that collective presence to raise the profile of earth-conscious transfer options worldwide.

By working with carefully selected partners that maintain top-quality fleets and assure comfort, quality and competency, Green Path Transfers also leaves tread marks on the notion that low-carbon-emissions vehicles running on alternative-fuel engine systems can’t deliver a level of price and service comparable with that of non-green options.

To learn more about Green Path Transfers and how be part of carbon-neutral travel arrangements that emphasise green technology, visit www.GreenPathTransfers.com.

Ethan Gelber

In addition to his freelance travel writing (Lonely Planet author, AFAR Ambassador, Huffington Post Travel blogger and more), Ethan has agitated tirelessly for responsible/sustainable travel practices, a focus on keeping things local, and quality and relevance in publishing and destination marketing. Among many other things, Ethan is a co-founder of OutBounding (a content curation tool), Destination Accelerator (education and networking for destination marketers) and EcoAdventure Media (support for eco-conscious brands), as well as a co-initiator of the Local Travel Movement (a platform for people passionate about local travel). For five years, Ethan has been Chief Communications Officer of the WHL Group, the largest local-travel company in the world, for which he founded and edits The Travel Word (this very blog).